Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
The Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, has said that the ongoing controversy involving the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the Senate has vindicated former Governor Yahaya Bello. Speaking to journalists in Lokoja on Sunday, Karimi stated that recent events show that Bello could not be blamed for the past disputes between him and Akpoti-Uduaghan before the National Assembly elections. He was reacting to the face-off between the Kogi Central senator and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which has sparked controversy. He said, “Former Governor Yahaya Bello must have seen it coming.” “Other Kogi lawmakers and I played…
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, the umbrella body of the thirty- six state Governors has said that it’s hands are tight as it cannot speak on the six-months suspension slammed on Governor Siminalaye Fubara of Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. In a statement on Saturday in Abuja by its Director General, Abdulateef Shittu, NGF explained that as a technical and policy hub comprising Governors elected on different platforms, the body decided to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests. The statement read, “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has received media enquiries requesting it…
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced the release of withheld local government allocations, assuring that necessary steps will be taken to ensure the prompt payment of workers’ salaries. Speaking during a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administrators in Port Harcourt, Ibas described the gathering as a pivotal moment in the collective effort to restore stability and progress in the state. The Sole Administrator lamented the economic hardship in the Niger Delta, noting that despite the region’s wealth of natural resources, its people continue to suffer. “This is unacceptable,” he stated, emphasizing the need for transformation…
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River, Venatius Ikem, suspended from office for alleged misconduct, financial mismanagement and failure of the party during the 2024 local government elections, has been reinstated to fully resume office. While addressing journalists on Friday at the party’s Secretariat in Calabar, Ikem disclosed that he has been “exonerated and acquitted” of the allegations of gross misconduct made against him. He stated that his return would boost the party’s fame and regain the lost glory, saying that “the party may have fallen and stumbled, but our party will rise to take its rightful…
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has re-imposed a 12-hour curfew on Ifon and Ilobu communities following the resurgence of violent clashes between the two communities. A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, Kolapo Alimi, on Friday stated that the re-imposed curfew starts at 6 pm and ends by 6 am daily till further notice. Alimi said Adeleke has also directed that an immediate meeting that would be attended by the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Akinyooye, and Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, the Olobu of Ilobu, alongside other stakeholders from both communities, be held on Saturday…
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion that occurred in Karu, Abuja, on Wednesday night, claiming multiple lives and leaving many others injured. Speaking in Abuja on Friday, Shettima extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, assuring them of the Federal Government’s support during this difficult time. In a statement issued on Friday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said, “My deepest condolences go out to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. “No words can…
A total of 120 bags of counterfeit rice have been seized by officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in three markets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. In a statement issued on Thursday, March 20, NAFDAC said its officials raided more than 10 shops in three markets – Woji, Mile 3, and Mile 1 markets – across the city of Port Harcourt. The raid which was conducted in collaboration with the producers of Big Bull Rice, led to the uncovering of large-scale sales of counterfeit rice and rebagging rice in these markets. According to…
The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu has said that all Corps members would be credited with their new monthly allowance of N77,000, with effect from March 2025. He said the Scheme and Federal Government are responsive to the welfare of NYSC members and would continue to ensure that their well-being is accorded maximum priority at all times. The Director General disclosed this on Thursday while interacting with Corps members at Wuse and Garki NYSC Zonal Offices of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. Nafiu, who thanked the Corps members for their selfless…
The Senate has approved President Tinubu’s imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State after a closed-door session with lawmakers on Thursday. The Nigerian Senate has approved the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, invoking its constitutional powers to address the escalating political crisis. During a closed-door session on Thursday, the lawmakers invoked Section 305(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the President authority to impose emergency rule in cases of severe governance breakdown. The Senate also mandated President Bola Tinubu to review the state of emergency periodically and consider its termination within six months. In addition to…
The newly appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibot-Ete Ibas, has officially resumed duty. The former Naval Chief arrived at the Government House, Port Harcourt, at noon on Thursday, following a formal reception at the airport led by the Rivers State Head of Service George Nwaeke. He was accompanied by security heads, including the General Officer Commanding, the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, and the Commander of 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force. Others were the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services…